Following City Council members’ racist remarks, hundreds of Oaxacans march for justice in L.A. Saturday
By Brett Molina
When the City Council’s public hearings on the proposed Oaxacan sovereignty declaration were held May 19, the council chambers were packed. More than 1,000 people filled the room in room B-19 and outside, more than 500 people marched in the streets of downtown to hear testimony from a woman who is seeking to become the first Oaxacan to officially represent California.
In total, at least 3,000 people attended the hearings. In total, at least 2,600 people marched. While many spoke in support of the declaration, others spoke against the declaration. At least eight members of the public spoke against the declaration, calling it racist, racist, racist and racist.
While many spoke in support of the declaration, others spoke against the declaration. At least eight members of the public spoke against the declaration, calling it racist, racist, racist and racist.
“No, I support the people of Oaxaca,” said Lidia Castillo, a San Gabriel Valley native and one of the organizers of the march. “We came here to speak for the people and not against the people.”
Lidia Castillo, from San Gabriel Valley, talks about her feelings about the Oaxacan Nation’s new declaration
In the days leading up to the march, I was able to have a number of conversations with some of the march organizers, to learn more about the organization, who’s board members are and what they stand for. I also got to talk with Marika, a member of the board and a longtime Oaxacan activist and organizer.
Marika, who, like Lidia Castillo, I’ve known since she was 20 years old, was raised in San Gabriel Valley. From a young age, Marika and her family were involved with the Oaxacan community. She studied the language of the indigenous people and came to know the Zapot
